Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition – June 2001 E-News

Dedicated to increasing the quality and quantity of bicycling and walking opportunities in Washtenaw County through advocacy and education

Welcome
This is the monthly newsletter of the Washtenaw Bicycling and Walking Coalition. This publication will be published around the middle of every month and will only be sent to those individuals who are WBWC members or have specifically requested to receive this publication. E-mail addresses will be protected and never disclosed to third parties. Submissions to the WBWC E-News are welcome and should be sent to wolverbob@cs.com, mailed to 706 Dwight Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 or faxed to 487-9058.

WBWC July Meeting
The next meeting of the WBWC will be held on Thursday, July 5th, 7pm at the Ecology Center, 117 N. Division in Ann Arbor (just north of Huron). Meetings last for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Limited parking is available at the Ecology Center as well as next to Tios restaurant. Everyone is welcome to attend. WBWC meetings are normally scheduled for the first Thursday of every month. Minutes of the June WBWC meeting will be posted on the WBWC website (www.wbwc.org) by mid-July.

Huron River Day

The WBWC will have a bicycling and walking display at the Huron River Day celebration in Ann Arbor’s Gallup Park on Sunday, July 8^th. Volunteers are needed to staff a literature table from either 12noon-2pm or 2pm-4pm. Those interested can contact Bob Krzewinski at 734/487-9058 or at wolverbob@cs.com.

Washtenaw’s Dirty Air

A report in a recent edition of the Ann Arbor News reported that ozone levels are continuing to soar in a number of southeast Michigan counties, including Washtenaw. If designated a "non-attainment" area for national Ambient Air Quality Standards, Washtenaw County could face sanctions such as auto tailpipe emmission testingand increased restrictions on industrial polltion.

The Ann Arbor News article went on to recommend, on a personal level, to reduce driving, carpool to work, refuel after dark and wait until a non-ozone action day to cut grass. From a biking and walking standpoint, if a "non-attainment" designation is given to Washtenaw County, there could be an added incentive by government bodies to increase funding for non-motorized and mass transit transportation projects.

County/City Bike Map

In the near future (July/August), the new Washtenaw County/Ann Arbor bicycle map should be available. The map will be printed on tear/water-resistant paper. The map will be in full color and cost approximately $2. Details on map purchase locations will be in the next WBWC newsletter.

Ann Arbor Bicycle Coordinator

Jane Kent, Bicycle Coordinator for the City of Ann Arbor, has taken a position with the Ann Arbor/Yspilanti Urban Transportation Study Committee (UATS) and will be leaving the Bicycle Coordinator position shorthly. A special thanks goes out to Jane for dedication and hard work to improve bicycling in Ann Arbor and the best of luck in her new position at UATS.

Bicycling Growing (Slightly) In Popularity

According to the National Sporting Goods Association (NGSA), participation in bicycle riding has grown from 42.4 million in 1999 to 42.5 million in 2000. This comes after a decline in ridership during 1998. Bicycling was the most popular of 62 sports, recreation and fitness activities surveyed by the NSGA.

Obesity A Greater Risk Than Smoking

According to a RAND Institute study published in the British Public Health Journal, found that obese people have almost twice as may chronic health problems as people of normal weight. Obese adults have more problems with cancer, diabetes and heart conditions than smokers, heavy drinkers or the poor. The study pointed out that three of every five adult Americans are either overweight (36%) or obese (23%).

WBWC Membership Applications Now Available
WBWC membership applications are available through the WBWC website (www.wbwc.org) and very soon (April) in the literature racks of most Washtenaw County bike shops. Basic membership is $10 a year with. Also, those joining anytime in 2001 will have their membership extended through December 31^st, 2002.

WBWC Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are currently needed for the following WBWC Committees...
      Membership - Help maintain membership records, send out membership material
      Publicity - Send out meeting and special event announcements, mail out printed version of E-News
      Education - Help plan and staff educational efforts (i.e., Earth Day, Bike To Work Day/Week)
For details on any of these jobs, please contact Bob Krzewinski at 487-7058 or wolverbob@cs.com.

Mark Your Calendar....

July 5 WBWC Monthly Meeting, 7pm, Ecology Center, Ann Arbor

July 8 Huron River Day – Gallup Park, Ann Arbor

August 2 WBWC Monthly Meeting, 7pm, Ecology Center, Ann Arbor